Calming Supplements

[poi-chick]

Have any of you used calming supplements or something similar with nervous or highly strung horses? Any recommendations for a young horse who's very easily upset and threatening to develop stable vices, she gets 4-6 hours turnout per day and is doing light work at the moment but we would hope to bring her into competition work over the summer, mainly show jumping at RC young horse and then Advanced Intermediate level. There seem to be so many different things on the market that its a minefield. help???

[Alibear]

I use NAF Five Star Magic and it seems to work very well on Ali who can be very excitable! I think I did a recommendation thread on here a while ago?

[Harvard]

Horse First Relax Me - its brilliant!!!!

I put Phoenix back on it last week and noticed the difference within a few days!

[Druid]

I've used many over the years!

NAF 5* magic - very good for those who need a calmer 24/7 with a little more edge off than just Mag provides (good for TBs)

HorseFirst RelaxMe - straight Mag. Oxide, useful if they have a defficency, useless if they don't. Also cheaper to buy Mag. Ox. from an Ag supplier.

Equestro Equilibrium - guaranteed FEI safe for prohibited substances, works amazingly well and we only fed for 3 days up to a show and then during. Brilliant for getting a bit more focus out of something who enjoys it job a little *too* much

BlueChip Karma - my favourite at the moment, contains L-tryptophan and magnesium and is liquid so easily absorbed. Can be fed daily or (as we do) 2 days prior to show and on the day. Won't turn a batty horse sane but helps them focus on the job in hand

Good as Gold - contains L-Tryptophan, very useful for "on the day" calming. Works well as a top up on show days for something on a Mag. supp. daily.

OxyShot - works or it doesn't, depends on the horse. If it works it's VERY effective, we use half a dose and it can still have our lad half asleep despite him being 17hh!

[bob1984]

Horse First Relax Me - its brilliant!!!!

I put Phoenix back on it last week and noticed the difference within a few days!


Wow - do they kick in that fast?
Not that I would ever need one :rollseyes:

Funny story - at this is not aimed at anyone - friend on yard thought pony was "mad" so bought calmer, gave to yard owner and within a few days realised a "huge difference", told YO who is her best friend and she got the reply "Great to hear - do you want me to start her on it now, she hasn;t had it yet"

It thought it was so funny :)


But as I say I have no experience of them, I know some people who swear by them!

[Druid]

Lol, Bob - I do wonder about placebo effect.

The mag. ones can kick in quickly - I put M on a high loading dose when we were going to Tipp. was getting a bit miffed as after 4 days didn't notice any difference at all. Day 5 - beachside donkey :blushing:

[xxkarenxx]

Lol Bob!!!

I have used a few in the past. The one I found suited Ispin best was Global Herbs one called Super Calm. It really is a lot of trial and error though

[Little-Miss-Muppet]

I only use horse first relax me or orchards super mag calm because I just want one which has magnesium in it and it works brilliantly.

You can get various ones with herbs in them that will calm a horse I am not a fan of any with valerian in them its a strong herb I use it to sleep. I would not like to ride a horse that has been fed that as if it makes me sleep i worry that the horse will not react as quickly as they should.

chammomile is a good mild herb for calming you will get it in a lot of mixes also vervain.

Just to add a lot of mixes do not contain valerian now as its on banned substance list for competing

[Bobbi C]

We've had Mia on equine-america so kalm plus (its magnesium based) for just over a month now and have definitely noticed a difference. She comes down of her highs much faster, and i feel in general she's in much better form (may have something to do with the lack of wind though!).

we previously tried global herbs tb calmer and didn't find it to do anything. and tried oxyshot going somewhere one day and didn't find it to do anything either. really is trial and error, they're all individuals

[Little-Miss-Muppet]

have found oxyshot fantastic but its not a long term product that builds up in system for gradual results its one for using on the spot and getting fast results.

I use it on siog if I have to travel her anywhere with another horse in the box and it works well it keeps her a lot calmer and more focussed. Have used on other horses with similar results.

[Harvard]

Wow - do they kick in that fast?
Not that I would ever need one :rollseyes:QUOTE]

Yes!!! See http://www.horsefirst.net/ for more info, it says 48 hours usually. In fact i've cut him down to 1/2 a scoop once a day! I had him off it over the winter and he was fine but wanted it on him for xc due to his napping last year - i had a few bad falls and its not worth it! - and no napping in bel air!!! It doesn't make him dead just more reasonable when schooling and for xc.

[QUOTE=Druid;122601]I've used many over the years!

HorseFirst RelaxMe - straight Mag. Oxide, useful if they have a defficency, useless if they don't. Also cheaper to buy Mag. Ox. from an Ag supplier.


See link above - they came up with a formula!!!


I only use horse first relax me or orchards super mag calm because I just want one which has magnesium in it and it works brilliantly.

Yay!!! Remember us talking about this on a similar thread - glad it worked for you!!!!


We've had Mia on equine-america so kalm plus (its magnesium based) for just over a month now and have definitely noticed a difference. She comes down of her highs much faster, and i feel in general she's in much better form (may have something to do with the lack of wind though!).

we previously tried global herbs tb calmer and didn't find it to do anything. and tried oxyshot going somewhere one day and didn't find it to do anything either. really is trial and error, they're all individuals

I had Phoenix on this till one day i went to get more and they had none and asked did i want to try the HorseFirst. I thought it was better and its about half the price!!!!

[Little-Miss-Muppet]

If a horse is deficient in magnesium and this is causing the stress/hyperiritability/irritation etc then it will kick in pretty quick - 2 - 3 days and you should start to see a difference.

The herbal ones will usually work pretty quick too. If I take valerian tablets they work within an hour.

personally if you are going to feed calmer try a magnesium one first. if they are deficient it will work, if not it will not as druid said. Then if it does not work you will need to try a medicinal calmer containing herbs etc to induce calm.

I would not advise sticking them on a herbal calmer without try magnesium first as whats the point in feeding thej a load fo stuff they dont need if its just that they are magnesium deficient.

siog definately is - when I take her off the stuff her 'twitching' starts all over again :rollseyes:

I use the super mag calm or horse first every day and then the oxy shot is just there for when we need it if we do something that will stress her like travelling etc

[poi-chick]

Excellent stuff folks - thank you again for answering all my queries !

[Alibear]

Here's my "review" from August last year - http://www.stabletostable.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4623

[termoncarragh]

...She comes down of her highs much faster....

Do they make a version of this for dogs???